65 pounds. 6 hours to charge, only 2 hours to discharge. $3000.

It's got lots of problems.

I can see uses for it in applications like extending the range of letter-carriers. And I can see the price dropping substantially with mass-production.

But why only 2 wheels? It seems to me the thing will be difficult for normal people to control over real surfaces (bumpy roads and sidewalks). Even with a good gyro, the center of mass of the thing is very high with a real person on board.

Why not add fore and aft outrigger wheels (training wheels if you like) to help it tolerate real surfaces?

I can see applications for some companies, etc., like the Times story discusses. But until they get the weight substantially down (even 25 pounds will limit its market), and of course substantially reduce the cost it's not going to be a consumer product.

It'll be interesting to see how real trials go.

Keep at it boxley!

Cheers,
Scott.

is the company's site.

They've got a (very slow) Flash "Interactive Model" presentation [link|http://www.segway.com.edgesuite.net/consumer/segway/|here] - click the central link.

A [link|http://www.segway.com.edgesuite.net/consumer/segway/product_specifications.html|Specifications] summary page says: Top speed 12.5 mph, maximum range 17 miles on a charge (though they expect a real number is closer to 11 miles), can carry a 250 pound passenger, you ride 8" above the ground, the "Segway HT" weighs 80 pounds.

One of the previous stories said that it could climb stairs, with the implication that the rider wasn't on at the time (as I read it). The tires seem to be at least 20" in diameter if the rider really is 8" off the ground. So some roughness in the terrain should be easily tolerable. And low steps. But it would still be fascinating to see in action in real conditions.

Cheers,
Scott.